Veterinary Services Permitting Assistant 

(VSPA) Quick Reference

The VSPA provides guidance on APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) requirements for international 

import, international transit, and domestic interstate movement of VS-regulated commodities. When 

VS permits are required, the VSPA will sort your materials and/or animals into the appropriate number 

of applications. Follow the steps below to begin your request. Access the VSPA at 

https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/vs-permitting-assistant

For more help, refer to our “How To” videos.

Step 1: Enter Your Material and/or Animal’s Details and Search 

• Select the tab associated with the type of material/animal you’re searching for

• Use the search fields to enter your material/animal’s details. Ensure your material has the correct

subcategory. Select See List text to view all available materials and their subcategories.

• Once you have completed all required fields, select the search button.

Step 2: Select Attributes

• Use the filters to further describe your material/animal’s

characteristics and narrow your search results.

o Please complete the filters from top to bottom.

o Complete all filters prior to selecting your material.

o Select on the icon for more information about a filter.

For help call VS at (301) 851 3300 or email Animal Products - APIE@usda.gov; Live Animals – vs.live.animals.import.permits@usda.gov

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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Step 3: Select your Materials and/or Animals

• Add the material/animal to your summary by selecting one of the available buttons.

o For live animals OR single materials (ex: single-species bulk material) or select Add

Material/Commodity.

o For an animal-origin ingredient of a larger product, select Add to Product Ingredient

List. For more help, refer to our “How To” videos

To add more materials/animals, select either 

of the Step 1 tabs or the search fields and 

repeat steps 1-3. If you have added all your 

materials, select the View Summary button 

or the shopping cart icon. 

Step 4: Review, Save, and Proceed to Application(s)

• Your selections have been sorted into 3 groups: Required Permit Applications, No Permit Required

but Conditions Apply, and Inadmissible. Select each tab to see the corresponding

materials/animals.

• When applicable, select the Documentation Required link or View Letter button to view

additional information about your request.

• Use the Applications Summary section to see a brief summary of your Request.

o If you need to add more to your request, select the Go Back and Add More Materials button.

o If you are renewing a 16-6A ePermits permit in eFile, enter the permit number in the

o ePermits Permit Number field and select Save.

o If your request resulted in a permit application, select the Proceed to Applications button

to complete and submit your permit application.

.

We recommend you save a 

copy of all Letters and 

send yourself an email 

copy of this summary by 

using the Application 

Summary section. 

For help call VS at (301) 851 3300 or email Animal Products - APIE@usda.gov; Live Animals – vs.live.animals.import.permits@usda.gov

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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